How safe is it to use free Numbers templates from the web?

Generally you should be OK.

Excel's vulnerability mainly stems from its use of VBA scripting. While it can add a degree of power to the app (e.g. you can write custom functions, build automation workflows, etc.) the actual scripts can interact with the underlying OS in ways that users don't expect, or even realize unless they dig into the VBA code and can understand what it's trying to do (if they even know where to look).

Numbers doesn't have a built-in scripting language like VBA, meaning it can't reach outside of the spreadsheet, thus protecting the user from potential misuse. Instead, for automation it relies on Shortcuts and AppleScript to provide functionality, and has to be specifically invoked by the user..

jdoyer wrote:

I'm familiar with the standard templates, I thought there was another cache of more customized user uploaded templates available.

Some of those built-in templates are far more powerful than they seem on the surface. Well worth poking around under the hood to see how they do what they do.

I haven't looked for a while at uploaded templates on the web. A few years ago when I looked I got the impression they had been designed for an old, old version of Numbers (over 15 years ago) very different from the modern Numbers app. And I didn't like the intrusive ads and cookies and all that on the sizes. The quality of the templates I tried varied widely.

One option you might pursue if you have a niche use that the built-in templates don't cover is to search for Excel templates for that use. Sometimes you can find ones that you can open up in Numbers (in Numbers File > Open and navigate to the .xlsx file - old .xls files won't work).

Some of these may give you ideas that you can use in Numbers. You'll probably want to modify them to make them look better. If you find one that suits your needs, don't hesitate to post screenshots here and explain what you are trying to do. There may be easier ways to do it in Numbers.

SG

Hold down the Option key and "New" becomes "New from Template Chooser".

Hi Brian,

I agree with Camelot. Generally you should be OK.

Please tell us you want to do. There are many users here who can help you build a Numbers document.

Regards,

Ian.

Also be sure to check out the built-in templates at File > New in the menu.

Many are excellent, with a lot of power under the hood.

SG

jdoyer wrote:

Where is this? “the built-in templates at File > New in the menu”

If you are on the Mac, then in Numbers go to the File Menu and pick New. If you haven't changed default settings you will be presented with a template chooser.

SG

Where is this? “the built-in templates at File > New in the menu”

Sorry, I'm familiar with the standard templates, I thought there was another cache of more customized user uploaded templates available.